DIVISION ANNOUNCES PROPOSED CHANGES
TO 1999-2000 GAME CODE

April 22, 1999

For more information contact:
Fred Carlson at 609-292-6685

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection's Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife recently announced proposed changes to the 1999-2000 New Jersey Game Code. The code describes procedures, dates, locations and harvest limits on the hunting or possession of game birds, mammals, and fur-bearing animals in New Jersey.

The New Jersey Fish and Game Council will hold a public hearing regarding the code on June 1, at 7 p.m. in the National Guard Armory, 151 Eggerts Crossing Road, Lawrenceville, Mercer County.

"New Jerseyans are encouraged to review and comment on the proposed amendments and take an active role in shaping the future of wildlife management in the Garden State," said Fish and Game Council Chairman John Bradway. "Many of the current proposals focus on managing New Jersey's white-tailed deer population. Balancing the needs of deer with those of the agricultural community, landowners and the sporting public is of primary concern with success ultimately depending on the cooperation of all involved."

The New Jersey Fish and Game Council is responsible for approving seasons, bag limits and other regulations for hunted species each year and is comprised of representatives from various conservation sporting groups, the farm community, Endangered and Nongame Species Committee and the general public.

In those zones where significant agricultural damage continues, the Division will continue to apply a management strategy to reduce the antlerless deer population. In addition, the Division will continue to monitor complaints of deer damage to ensure a proper balance between deer and farming.

"The Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife's deer management objectives are to maintain a healthy herd, keep populations at levels that are compatible with agricultural practices and other land uses, and maximize the recreational benefits derived from the deer resource," said Division Director Bob McDowell. "In an effort to reduce agricultural damage and deer-human conflicts in developing areas of the state, deer populations are being reduced. However, lack of hunter access to land which harbors unnecessarily high deer populations continues to be a problem for both landowners and the Division."

Regarding management of the increasing black bear population in North Jersey, a hunting season has not been proposed at this time. Residents of this area are encouraged to continue "bear-proofing" their surroundings and use caution in the presence of these animals.

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Highlights of game code amendments follow. If approved, revisions would:

Standardize deer hunting hours to one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset for all deer seasons and the small game season.

Reduce the minimum age from 14 to 10 years of age or older to hunt with a muzzleloader rifle for deer, squirrel and woodchuck.

On an experimental basis, limit the harvest to one antlered deer during the fall and winter bow seasons and one antlered deer per permit during the extended bow, shotgun and muzzleloader permit seasons.

This proposal offers a quality management approach to New Jersey's deer population. By focusing on controlling the antlerless population, competition between deer, which affects antler development, reproductive vigor and overall health, is significantly reduced. Harvesting more antlerless deer now, will help reduce agricultural damage and serve to ensure an older, healthier population of antlered deer in the future, which is something that will ultimately benefit both landowners and hunters alike.

For Zones 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 25, 36, 41 & 50:

Adjust shotgun permit season quotas to meet additional second lottery and over-the-counter demand.

Make deer tags valid on the day of issuance (statewide).

Provide the option of taking two deer at a time during the shotgun permit season.

Require that an antlerless deer be taken first during the entire fall bow, permit bow, muzzleloader, permit shotgun and winter bow seasons.

Provide a 31-day permit shotgun season, including November 22-24; December 6-11, 15-17, 1999; and January 8-29, 2000.

Delete requirement for special Canada goose permits for September and late special seasons.

Provide for the issuance of site specific deer permits for farms with no limit on the number of permits per farm. The associated zone would not have to be over-subscribed in the initial lottery. When and if the regular quota of shotgun and muzzleloader permits runs out, site-specific permits would become available to meet the demand. Site-specific permits would be exclusive of the regular permit season quotas.

Re-open Turkey Hunting Areas 6 and 7 to fall turkey hunting for the Year 2000 season.

Change the fall turkey season dates, opening the season in late October and add an additional three-day hunting segment to the current season structure. Under this proposal, the fall turkey hunting permit quota would increase from 1,245 permits good for three days each, to 3,290 permits valid for three days each.

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The previous proposals and all amendments to the 1999-2000 Game Code will be published in the May 17 New Jersey Register, followed by a 30-day public comment period. Consult this publication for specific information on season dates, permit quotas, special area hunting regulations, zone boundary changes and other details.

Copies of the proposed 1999-2000 Game Code will be available for review at the Division's main and regional offices after May 17. In addition, interested individuals may obtain a copy of the proposed amendments by sending a business-sized, self-addressed, stamped envelope (for 66-cents) to: